Jack Colback will settle for a derby victory however it comes as Sunderland attempt to break Newcastle's stranglehold on the fixture.

The Black Cats have beaten their arch-rivals in the league on Wearside only once since 1980, and have just one win either home and away against the Magpies in 15 attempts.

However, Sunderland firmly believe they have not received their just rewards during that run of fixtures and apart from a 4-1 home defeat in April 2006 and a 5-1 horror show at St James' Park in October 2010, there has been little to choose between the sides in recent years.

For that reason, Tyneside-born Colback will not worry how the three points arrive on Sunday as long as they do.

The 22-year-old said: "Certainly from what I can remember growing up, it's always seemed to be that way, that Sunderland have played well and just not got the rub of the green. The games have always been tight.

"But it is certainly something we will be looking to change. We would rather have a shocker of a game performance-wise and win the game than play well and lose, for sure.

"It's the type of game in which, certainly at home, defeat just isn't an option."

As ever in a derby, many fans of either side would be happy enough with a point which means they can go to work on Monday morning and give as good as they get, knowing defeat would leave them in the firing line until at least the return on Tyneside in April.

But that is not a feeling which will be shared in the home dressing room this weekend.

Colback said: "No, definitely not. For us, it's a home game and it's a home game we will be looking to win.

"Fans will be saying they would take a draw because that's how intense it is and the thought of defeat to them, they don't want to see it happen.

"By saying they would take a draw, it's probably meaning they really don't want to lose.

"But we will be looking to win and hopefully we will give them that win."

Newcastle will arrive on Wearside two points better off than their neighbours, but having played a game more, although neither side has really hit top form yet this season.

Indeed between them, they can boast only three men who have scored in the Barclays Premier League so far this season with summer signing Steven Fletcher having claimed all five of the Black Cats' goals and Demba Ba one ahead of him with Hatem Ben Arfa contributing the Magpies' other two strikes.

But Colback is confident the intensity of the local rivalry will bring out the best of both teams.

He said: "With the teams both being established in the league now and both looking to be finishing in the top 10, it's more competitive because we are not just rivals in the sense that we are 15 miles apart, it's the fact that we are competing for the same places in the league as well."

As a local, Colback knows exactly what is at stake, but is equally aware that control is required after Stephane Sessegnon and Lee Cattermole were sent off in the reverse fixture last season.

He said: "That's the thing, you have got to treat it professionally, but I certainly know how much it means to the fans. It's the game that everyone looks for first when the fixtures come out.

"It's a game I am really looking forward to. I got a good taste of it last year, starting the game at the Stadium of Light, and it was certainly a very tense affair.

"It's one we are certainly looking to win this year. We owe it to the fans to get a win in this game."